Angelina College
Fine Arts Division
DRAM 1310 Introduction to Theatre (Spring 2015)
Instructional Syllabus
I.
BASIC COURSE INFORMATION:
A. Course Description: The course is a survey of all phases of theatre including its history, dramatic works,
stage techniques, production procedures, and relation to the fine arts. It is a required course for all theatre
majors and minors and recommended as an appreciation course for all majors.
B. Intended Audience: Any student who needs to fulfill the creative arts component of their core curriculum
or wishes to expand their theatrical knowledge.
C. Instructor: David Raine
Office Location: N/A
Office Hours: N/A, but if you need to speak with me, we can set something up.
Phone: 936-554-6628
E-mail Address: draine761@hotmail.com
II. INTENDED STUDENT OUTCOMES:
A. Core Objectives Required for this Course
1. Critical Thinking: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of
information
2. Communication: to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral
and visual communication
3. Teamwork: to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to
support a shared purpose or goal
4. Social Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decisionmaking
B. Course Learning Outcomes for all Sections
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Analyze theater through written responses to play texts and/or live performance.
2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of theater history and dramatic works.
3. Describe the collaborative nature of theater arts.
4. Demonstrate the relationship of the arts to everyday life as well as broader historical and social contexts.
III. ASSESSMENT MEASURES
A. Assessments for the Core Objectives:
1. Critical Thinking: Students’ introductory critical thinking skills are assessed by students attending plays and
writing critiques over the plays they have viewed. An AC assessment scoring rubric will be used to assess
components of inquiry, synthesis, analysis, and results.
2. Communication: Students’ introductory written, visual, and oral communication skills are assessed by their
participation in small group activities throughout the semester. An AC rubric will be used to assess whether the
students’ participation in these activities communicates an understanding of the material while demonstrating:
organization, development, interpretation and expression of ideas.
3. Teamwork: Students’ developing teamwork skills will be assessed by their participation in a group presentation
over an assigned time period of theatre history. A peer evaluation AC rubric will be used to evaluate individual
students’ teamwork skills.
4. Social Responsibility: Students’ developing social responsibility skills will be assessed by their attendance at plays
and writing critiques over the plays they have viewed. An assessment scoring AC rubric will be used to assess
students’ understanding of the cultural commonalities and differences in communities as it is reflected in the point
of view of the artists.
Revised: 6/14
B. Assessments for Course Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be required to attend two performances of the current season and will write an informed critique
over the productions viewed. An AC assessment scoring rubric will be used to assess components of inquiry,
synthesis, analysis, and results.
2. Students will participate in classroom activities and assignments designed to give students insight into the actual
demands of production and the roles and responsibilities of each member of a production staff and the
collaborative nature of the art form.
3. Students’ will participate in a group presentation over an assigned time period of theatre history. A peer
assessment scoring rubric will be used in assessing individual teamwork skills.
4. Students’ will be assessed by their attendance at plays and writing critiques over the plays they have viewed. An
assessment scoring rubric will be used to assess students’ understanding of the cultural commonalities and
differences in communities as it is reflected in the point of view of the artists.
IV. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:
Methodologies, which are utilized in presenting course content, include but are not limited to lectures, class discussions,
student presentations, audiovisual presentations, role-play activities, and small group activities. Generally each unit will
begin with a lecture over the material followed by discussion and or class activities.
V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES:
A. Required Textbooks and Recommended Readings, Materials and Equipment
An Introduction to: The Art of Theatre, Author: Marsh Cassady
Oedipus, by Sophocles (Any translation is appropriate) (should be able to find for free online)
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde (should be able to find for free online)
A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry
6 - SCANTRON Forms # 882-E
B. Course Policies – This course conforms to the policies of Angelina College as stated in the Angelina College
Handbook.
1.
Academic Assistance – If you have a disability (as cited in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or Title II of
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) that may affect your participation in this class, you should see Karen
Bowser, Room 208 of the Student Center. At a post-secondary institution, you must self-identify as a person with a
disability; Ms. Bowser will assist you with the necessary information to do so. To report any complaints of
discrimination related to disability, you should contact Dr. Patricia McKenzie, Administration Building, Room 105 or
936-633-5201.
2. Attendance – Attendance is required as per Angelina College Policy and will be recorded every day.
Any student with three (3) consecutive absences of four (4) cumulative absences may be dropped from the class.
Records will be turned in to the academic dean at the end of the semester. Do not assume that
non-attendance in class will always result in an instructor drop. You must officially drop a class or risk
receiving an F. This is official Angelina College Policy. Students are responsible for obtaining information
missed due to an absence. Students are responsible for arranging to make up missed work. Tardiness,
absences, and leaving class early will negatively impact your class assignments grade. Students who do not
attend class regularly or who perform poorly on projects/exams may be referred to the Early Alert
Program. This program provides students with recommendations for resources or other academic
Counseling assistance. There is no differentiation between an excused or unexcused absence. All
absences are treated with the same consequences listed below:
Makeup work Policy:
WRITING assignments will be accepted late, but with daily point reductions. Arrangements for makeup
QUIZZES must be made before the next class period. No makeup quizzes will be given after the class has
begun viewing or discussing the play over which the quiz was given. Students will have only one opportunity
to reschedule missed EXAMS during the final week of the class. These makeup exams will be in essay form.
NO CLASS ASSIGNMENTS completed during a class period can be made up.
Revised: 6/14
3. Additional Policies Established by the Instructor
Academic Honesty/Integrity – Academic honesty is a responsibility of all academic faculty and students. Faculty
members promote academic honesty by adhering to standards of honesty as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Students shall be expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the academic experience both in and out
of the classroom. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of academic work is subject to disciplinary
action. My standing policy: any cheating or plagiarizing on an assessment will result in a failing grade for the
assessment, and may, at my discretion, result in a failing grade for the course.
Definition of Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes
but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a
component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned
exercise; and/or; (3) helping or attempting to help another person in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is
presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting
an assignment as if it were one’s own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a
work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from on Internet source; and (3) incorporating the words or
ideas of an author into one’s paper without giving the author due credit.
Acceptable Student Behavior:
Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other
students to learn from the instructional program (see personal conduct section of the Student Handbook).
Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who disrupt the learning environment may be
asked to leave class and may be subject to judicial, academic, or other penalties. The instructor shall have full
discretion over what behavior is appropriate or inappropriate in the classroom . Higher Education requires the full
attention of both you and your classmates. Respect your peers. Please silence all electronic devices. If you bring a
laptop, notebook, or tablet to class, do not let me catch you using it for anything other than classwork. No Food and
only capped drink containers are allowed in my classroom.
NOTE: If you are a student who is obligated to fill out progress reports for your advisor. Do not wait until the day
they are due to bring them to class for my signature and catch me after class is over.
VI. COURSE OUTLINE:
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED CLASS SCHEDULE FOR DUE DATES, DEADLINES, ETC.
All Assessments must follow written instructions and/or formats explained. Failure to do so will result in a
significant grade reduction. Instructions for all written assignments will be distributed as assigned.
Classroom Activities Assessments: There will be classroom activity assignments to be completed during the
semester. This work is part of your class participation grade.
Lecture/Text Assessments: There will be three exams covering the textbook and lecture information. These exams
will be a combination of question formats including in class multiple choice.
Reading Assessments: Students are required to read at least three plays for discussion and analysis. There will be
quizzes over the plays you are to read. These quizzes will be multiple-choice and designed to test whether or not you
have read the plays. Reading assignments from the text will also be required. Other reading assignments in the
form of handouts might be given throughout the semester. All assignments are to be read by the due date in the
class schedule.
Group Presentation Assessment: A group presentation over an assigned time period during theatre’s history will be
completed during the semester. A handout with guidelines for the presentation will be distributed.
Writing Assessments: Two play critiques of viewed productions are required. Each critique will be due the week
following the performance or classroom viewing. A handout with critique guidelines will be distributed. This
semester you will be required to attend two plays at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Revised: 6/14
VII. EVALUATION AND GRADING:
A. Grading Criteria - The following is the grading policy as it relates to the above requirements and the class schedule.
Assessments ____________________________
Percentage of Final Grade
Critiques of two plays
15%
Quizzes
20%
Exams
40%
Group presentation
10%
Daily Activities- Class Assignments
15%
[Extra Credit Opportunities will be available and explained a few weeks into the course]
B. Determination of Grade –completion of the above on a scale of 1-100. The instructor may modify the provisions of
the syllabus to meet individual class needs by informing the class in advance as to the changes being made.
Critiques will be written following the performance weeks of the two SFASU productions that you are required to attend.
The productions are The Importance of Being Earnest and August: Osage County.
The Importance of Being Earnest will be performed from Tuesday, March 3rd through Saturday, March 7th. Start
time for each performance will be 7:30pm. You must attend one of the performances of this play.
August: Osage County will be performed from Tuesday, April 28th through Saturday, May 2nd. Start time for each
performance will be 7:30pm with an additional performance on Saturday at 2pm. You must attend one of the
performances of this play.
Revised: 6/14